The Cohort of Leadership Associates (CoLA) is a State Board of Educator Certification approved alternative route to principal certification coordinated by Education Service Center, Region 20. CoLA is an intensive 15-month program of training and field-based work designed to develop and prepare quality school leaders in San Antonio and the surrounding areas.

Vision/Core Beliefs▲

Vision Statement:

To be the definitive choice for individuals seeking principal preparation by providing quality training aligned with current best practices to create a strong, balanced leadership foundation.

Core Beliefs:

We believe…

In service first

Our employees drive our success

Collaboration maximizes results

In purposeful and effective communication

Change is opportunity

In cultivating strengths

Learning is life-long

Program Summary/Fees▲

Program Components:

All program components are aligned with the Texas Principal Certification Standards and the TExES Principal Competencies. Program timeline is 15 months beginning each June and concluding the following August.

Leadership Associates will:

Participate in over 200 hours of face to face training

Obtain 200 hours of field based experiences through an internship/practicum

Plan and implement an Action Research Project

Create a portfolio

Complete AEL and TTESS training/certification

Admission Requirements

Option 1 – Traditional Track:

Master’s degree from an accredited institution with a GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale

Option 2 – University Partnership Track:

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with a GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale

Must be working towards a Master's degree through an accredited institution. See University of the Incarnate Word Partnership

Both options require:

Valid Texas teaching certificate with a minimum of 2 years teaching experience

Two years of leadership experience

Letter of recommendation from current supervisor

Completed application on file

Screening interview process

Program Fees

Non-refundable application fee $50

Program cost $7,725*

Additional fees not included in the total program cost:

TExES Principal Exam (068) - registration fees paid directly to ETS.

SBEC Certification applications- fees paid directly to TEA/SBEC

Extended time completing the program may result in extension fees.

*Note: Payment options are available. Discount offered to TOPP graduates. Fees are subject to change and reflect information available at the time of posting.

Through the unique partnership between ESC-20 and the University of the Incarnate Word, Leadership Associates have the opportunity to obtain either a Master’s degree with a Concentration in School Leadership, or a Doctoral degree in Education with a Concentration in Organizational Leadership and Specialty in School Leadership in conjunction with their principal certificate. All CoLA program requirements are transferrable as university credit hours and are embedded into either degree plan.

A Master’s degree must be conferred prior to being recommended for a Texas Standard Principal Certificate. Through the partnership, it can be completed within the 15 months of the CoLA program.